Thursday, May 29 2025
Featured Holidays

Travelling with your Dog 

By May 6, 2025 Article

The UK sees 11,000 searches a month for ‘dog friendly holidays’. New research from cottages.com reveals Penzance, Cornwall, as the most dog friendly holiday destination in the UK.

The idea of the UK being a nation of dog lovers is far from a new one, with 36% of households in the country home to canine companions. For the vast majority of dog owners their pets are part of their family, which means taking them into consideration when it comes to family holidays.

While there’s always the option for pet sitters, leaving them with family, or putting them up in a kennel, some can’t bear to leave them behind. In fact, there’s 11,000 searches for ‘dog friendly holidays’ every month in the UK2.  It’s clear that many want their dogs to be a part of their getaway, which is why it’s important that the holiday caters to your four legged friends too.

This is what prompted cottage holiday providers cottages.com to find which UK destinations are the most dog friendly, discovering Penzance in Cornwall to be the ideal location for those looking to take every member of the family away on holiday.

“When planning a staycation with a dog, owners should choose destinations with secure, pet-safe environments, think enclosed gardens, nearby parks, and accessible vet services” shares Deepak Shukla, CEO of Pets Let’s Travel3. “Not all ‘dog-friendly’ accommodations are equal, so it’s important to ask about restrictions, fees, and on-site amenities like dog beds or fenced areas. Reading reviews can help identify truly pet-welcoming spots near dog-friendly trails, beaches, or restaurants. Apps like “Bring Fido” or tips from local vets and online communities are great resources for discovering places that welcome dogs.”

The Puppies of Penzance

Taking the top spot with a winning score, Penzance, Cornwall, is officially the most dog friendly holiday spot in the UK. The standout stats for the area include a grand total of zero harmful plants sightings and a tied for highest 15 accessible green spaces, giving you plenty of parks and trails for your dog to enjoy safely! Sites like Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Trengwainton Garden are filled with art, history, and floral displays for you to immerse yourself in, while your dog gets to experience sights and smells that will provide them with plenty of enrichment.

Dumfries is for the dogs

Placing second with a score of 96.79 is the historic town of Dumfries, Scotland, with its scenic beaches, lush forests, and green spaces making for an ideal family getaway destination. Dumfries is home to the highest number of accredited veterinary practices on the list, so you can be safe in the knowledge that there’s a number of good hands nearby, if they’re needed. The town also tied with Penzance for the highest accessible green spaces, with areas like Drumlanrig Castle being surrounded by beauty for both you and your dog to explore. Dumfries wasn’t the only Scottish location on the list either, with Pitlochry and Fort William taking the 9th and 10th spots to cement the country as a dog friendly hotspot.

Whitby welcomes all

Rounding out the top 3, Whitby, North Yorkshire, is one of the most iconic coastal towns in the UK. Most famously known for the abbey ruins along with being one of the key locations in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it should now be  known as a haven for family holidays with the dog. Whitby plays host to 43 dog friendly eateries, more than anywhere else on the list, giving you plenty of options when it comes to deciding dinner plans or even just stopping off for a snack! Coffee lovers can relax with their canine companions in locations like Sherlocks Coffee Shop, while chippies like Mister Chips allow you to experience Whitby’s famous cuisine with your dog by your side.

To find out more about the staycation spots you can visit with man’s best friend, be sure to visit cottages.com’s selection of dog friendly cottages and visit

You may also like

The Big Lunch gets tails and chins wagging at Battersea Power Station

PAW PATROLTM LIVE! “THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE”

NEWBIE ANNOUNCES NEW UK STORE OPENING IN THE ROYAL BOROUGH OF WINDSOR 

If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.
By

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.